"All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" directed by Linda Kerns, performed by Actors Co-op.
Bringing the Audiences Back to Kindergarten
By Pat Denson, 09.25.05
Hollywood, Calif. - “Get rid of candy or gum and no cell phones, because after all, you’re in kindergarten.” Hollywood’s Actors Co-op opened its 14th season by taking audiences back to their childhood and fulfilling the acting company’s tradition of producing award-winning theater.
“All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten” is based on a book by Robert Fulghum adapted by Ernest Zulia with music by David Caldwell. This play is a collection of lighthearted, funny, and insightful stories about the meaning of everyday life.
As the play opened the audience enjoyed laughter, tears, and child-like ease.
The kindergartener’s set of guidelines was prominently displayed on the blackboard as well as the cast of five actors - Michelle (Michelle Allsopp), Brenda (Brenda Ballard), Jim (Jim Custer), Kelley (Kelley Hinman), and Josh (Josh Olson) – who sat on large blocks resembling children.
The five characters share remarkable stories with the audience. In kindergarten, the audience learns there is a pig in the story of Cinderella. A lawn chair is made air-borne by balloons, proving that everything is still possible. A deaf Ludwig Beethoven wrote the infamous “Ninth Symphony” and defies his fate with jubilation. Gunk in the sink, a turn-off to teens, proves that being an adult is often dirty work, but someone has to do it. A bench in a cemetery provides a place of contemplation and enlightenment. It brings the revelation that there is joy in life and mystery in death – but all things are just as they should be.
“The show is about embracing all aspects of ourselves,” Actors Co-op Director Linda Kerns said. “Children can teach us not to edit our lives by cutting back on our creativity, our relationships with others, even ourselves.”
From Sets to Stage: Behind the Scenes of the Actors Co-op
Actors Co-op, “the 99-seat miracle,” according to Daily Variety is rapidly becoming more accessible and visible to the theater-going community. “I want to make the Actors Co-op L.A.’s premiere intimate theater of choice,” said new General Manager Paul Stuart Graham.
Graham, a 20-year theater veteran and faculty member of California State University’s Theater Arts Department said he’s moved into a time of unique convergence.
“I’m a Christian, an artist, producer, and an educator. I’ve never done two of them together in a faith-based company of players. It’s a tremendous learning curve for me,” Graham said.
The Actors Co-op boasts a faithful audience. Theater-goers Rai and Marilyn from Sherman Oaks, Calif., have been attending performances of this Christian theater company for 11 years. “The performances are very good; everyone is so friendly,” Marilyn said. “We especially like opening nights, because you get to meet the cast and enjoy great food,” Rai said.
Otto and Hannah from Pasadena are also supportive patrons of the Actors Co-op. “We like the intimacy of the small theater and the excellent acting,” Hannah said. “There’s a theme for every season, a God-thing, and it does come through,” Otto said.
“All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten” will play Sept. 23 through Nov. 13, 2005 at The Crossley Terrace Theater in Hollywood. The Crossley Terrace Theater is located at 1760 N. Gower Street, Hollywood.
General admission is $23; students with a school ID, seniors, children (8-12), groups of 10 or more are $18. For tickets or more information, please call (323)462-8460 or visit the Actors Co-op website at: www.ActorsCo-op.org
